Electrical switch



B. D. HORTON. L

ECTRICAL SW|TCH. TJONFILED SEPT. 6, I96.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

2 SHETS-SHEET UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BBYSON DEXTER HORTON, OF DETROIT, MICI-IIGAN.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

Speeiflcation of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

Application filed September 6, 1916. Serial No. 118,657. I

- clear, and concise description.

This invention relates to electrical switches, and particularly to a controlling mechanism for actuating a switch from the exterior of an inclosing case of the panel type.

'The object of this invention is the provision of a switch which maybe built flush into a wall panel and exteriorly operated.

In the illustrated form of this invention there'is provided an inclosing case suitable to be moun'ted flush with a supporting member, such as a wall. Within the inclosing case is mounted a switch having a pair of movable contacts adapted to be operated in unison, and associated with this switch are the customary protective devices. An operative member ournaled in the casi'ng with its center in alinement with that of the movable contact members, ha's one of its ends connected to the said contact members and -the other end thereof operably connected with an exterior member capable of reciprocating motion.

In the drawings: Figure l is a perspective View of an electrical switch, such as contemplated by this invention, with its associate mechanism mounted within an inclosing case.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 1--1 of Fig. 1, showing in detail one form of the controlling mechanism ;for Operating the switch.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5, illustrate various modifications of means embodying the features `of the invention for Operating the switch from the exterior of the casing.

The a'pparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a metallic inclosing case 1, having a front flanged face 2, which supports a hinged cover 3, adapted when closed to fit flush with the face 2. Mounted upon the rear wall of the inclosing case is a block of insulating material 4 fastened by means of screws 5. On this block of insulating material stationary jaw contacts 6 and pivoted knife-blade contacts 7 are mounted. The knife-blade contacts 7 are connected by means of a cross-head 8 of insulating material provided with an eye or retaining member 9, which has operable connection with a crank or actuating member 10, which has one of -its ends extending through the side of the casing. Mounted upon the base 4 andassociated with the contact members 6 are protective devices 11, which may be of any well-known type. The exterior arm of the crank 10 has pivotally Secured thereto one end of a connecting member 12 which .hasits other end fastened to a reciprocating member 13. The reciprocating member 13 is provided with a knob 14, and is arranged to travel in a slotted aperture 15 made in the fianged portion 2 of the inclosing case 1. In order to accelerate the breaking or making of the connection when the Operating crank 10 is manipulated, so that a quick or sharp break or closure will occur, there is employed a spiral spring 15, one end of which is connected by an eye 16 set in one of the side walls of the inclosing case 1. This spring, as it will be observed, is expanded when the movable contacts are thrown into a closed or opened position, the stored' up energy in the expanded spring spending itself to accelerate the movement of the movable contacts when the crank 10 is operated to break or make 'connection between the contacts. When it is desired to open the contacts, the reciprocating member 13 is moved in a downward direction,

causing the connecting member 12 to turn about its movable pivotal points, after the fashion of a toggle lever, so as to efl'ect a' very effective throw of the knife-blade contacts 7.

In Fig. 3, there is shown a modification of the control member for actuating the knifeblade contacts 7. This modification comprises a rack 17 provided with longitudinal slots 18 and having secu'red nearits central portion an Operating member 13; the travel of said rack being governed by the slots 18 and pivots 19. A segmental gear 20 journaled in one of the side w'alls within the inclosing case 1 is provided with teeth u adapted to engage with those of the rack 17. An L-shaped Operating member, having one of its ends centered with the gear 20 and :fastened thereto in a fixed position, has its other end connected with the cross-head 8 and is adapted upon the operation of the actuating' member 13 to open the knife-blade contacts 7. A latching pawl 21 is provided to engage an aperture 22, so that the switch may be locked in an opened position by hand. The spring 15 serves to move the reciprocating rack 17 downwardly thereby opening the switch blades.

Fig. 4 illustrates a modification of the switch actuating mechanism shown in Fig. 3. In this modification, the rack 17 travels in a horizontal, or in an in and out direction, as will be apparent from the drawing. The guide members 25 function to keep the teeth of the rack 17 in engagement with those* of the segmental gear 20; Fig. 5 illustrates a modification in which link 12 interconnects the reciprocatory member 14 and an arm of the Operating member after the fashion of Figs. 1 and 2. In this case, however, the handle 14 reciprocates in a direction at right angles to that which it does in the forms shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The downward movement of handle 14: will move the contacts counter-clockwise, thereby closin the switch.

hile I have illustrated and shown several embodiments of my invention, I do not wish to be limited in matters of structural detail, as the same may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined by the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as .new herein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The combination with an electric switch having stationary and pivoted Contacts, or an inclosing casing provided with a cover and having a flange fiush with the cover, a cross-head connecting said pivoted Contacts, actuating means pivotally mounted in alinement with the axis of the pivoted contacts and connected to said cross-head, and means reciprocally mounted in said flange and operably connected to said actuating means whereby said pivoted Contacts may be actuated by said last-mentioned means.

2. The combination with an electric switch having stationary and pivoted Contacts, of an inclosing casing provided with a cover and having a flange fiush with the cover, a cross-head connecting said pivoted Contacts, actuating means pivotally mounted in alinement with the axis of the pivoted contacts and connected to said cross-head, means longitudinally reciprocably mounted in said flange and operably connected to said actuating means and accelerating means operatively connected to said actuating means for accelerating said actuating means in either direction.

3. The combination with an electric switch having stationary and pivoted Contacts, of an inclosing casing provided with a cover and having a flange flush with the cover, a cross-head connecting said pivoted Contacts, actuating means pivotally mounted in alinement with the axis of the pivoted contacts and connected to said cross-head, there being a slot in said-flange, a handle slidably mounted in said slot and a link connecting said actuating means and said handle whereby said pivoted Contacts may be operated by said handle. i

4. The combination with an electric switch having stationary and pivoted contacts, of an inclosing casing provided with a cover and having a fiange fiush with the cover, a cross-head connecting said pivoted Contacts, actuating means pivotally mounted in alinement with the axis of the pivoted contacts and connected to said cross-head, there being a slot' in said flange, a handlo slidably mounted in said slot, a link connecting said actuating means and said handle whereby said pivoted Contacts may be operated by said handle, and a spring operatively connected to said actuating means for accelerat` ing said actuating means in either direction.

In an electric switch, in combination, stationary' contacts and movable Contacts, an inelosing casing having a face adapted to be flush with a wall and having a cover flush with the face, said face having a slot, an actuating means connected to said movable Contacts, a handle slidingly mounted in said slot, and a link connecting said actuating means with the handle whereby the Contacts may be operated.

6. In an electric switch, in combination,

stationary Contacts and movable Contacts, an y inclosing casing having a face adapted to be flush With a wall and having a cover flush with the face, said face having a slot, an

switch.

7. In an electrical switch, the combination with stationary and movable Contacts mounted within an inclosing case of the panel type, said inolosing case having an outwardly directed front flange provided with a slot, of an operating member extending outside the case underneath the flange and coperatively associated withtthe movable Contacts, means for accelerating the movement of the movable Contacts when thrown to their opened or closed position, a reciprocating member extending through the slot in the flange and adapted to move therein, and connecting' means between said reciprocating member, Operating member and accelerating means whereby the move` ment of said contact may be controlled by said reciprocating member.

BRYSON DEXTER HORTON. 

